Nationwide Conference
Saturday, 04 January 3.00pm

By Chris Holland

Barnet's first game of 2003, in front of the Conference's highest crowd of the day, ended in disappointment as a stubborn Doncaster side took all three points back to South Yorkshire.

Barnet were left to rue the visitors' clinical finishing as two early goals proved just too much for a Barnet side missing both leading strikers, Agogo limping off early on and Strevens still unwell.

Following four points from two tough games over Christmas Barnet had every reason to be positive coming into the match. Peter Shreeves kept faith the same side who'd picked up a point a league leaders Yeovil the weekend before.

Barnet got off the worst possible start conceding two goals in the first eighteen minutes. Couple this with the loss through injury of the tights wearing Agogo meant that Barnet were always chasing the game. However, not once during the match did the Barnet players heads drop as they battled in vain to overcome a well organised defensive unit.

The first goal came on twelve minutes when Jamie Patterson curled the ball past Naisbett after Barnes had controlled a cross and laid the ball back to Patterson who finished from 15 yards. Barnet's misery was compounded six minutes later when indecision between Heald and Hendon allowed Robert Gill to latch on to a long ball and the young striker finished well past Naisbett.

In between both goals Barnet could've got one back after Wayne Purser had beaten Barrick, though his cross was just to high for Agogo to make meaningful contact. Following the second goal, Barnet's main threat was posed by the lively duo of Wayne Purser and Neil Midgley. Following a Purser run, the ball fell to Gower who fired just over from the edge of the area.

Though it was Doncaster who nearly extended their lead after Gill found Paul Barnes whose 25-yard effort was parried by Naisbett. As Barnet continued to battle, a short corner from Gower was met by Hendon whose a powerful goalbound header was blocked on the line. Then Gill when presented with a free header found himself unable to test Naisbett.

Barnet's main threat appeared to be from set pieces as the Doncaster defence, struggled to clear the ball. Midgley's flick header at the near post from Gower's corner going just over.

Second Half

The second half was nearly all one way traffic. Barnet came out with more purpose and both centre backs looked to make amends for their earlier mishap, Heald starting a slick move down the right before good defensive play prevented him from getting enough on the resulting cross.

Spurred on by the newly formed club band, Barnet pulled a goal back within seven minutes of the restart. Mark Gower's free-kick from the right found an unmarked Ian Hendon who headed the ball back across Warrington in the Rovers goal to core his first goal for the Bees.

Barnet warmed to the task in front of them and John Doolan began to take charge of the midfield. Hendon had a half chance to equalise but mis-hit his shot wide after good work by Gower and Purser. Doolan then turned and curled a shot just wide from 25 yards leaving Warrington standing.

Warrington then did well to flick away a dangerous cross from Gower and Doolan saw another 25-yard effort go just over. Following another cross from the right, Agogo's replacement Toby Oshitola stretched a foot out in front of his marker but hooked the ball straight at Warrington.

Doncaster survived a few penalty shouts and Fraser Toms on for Lee Pluck attempted to divert a Heald header goalwards but unfortunately missed the target. Doolan caught Birch in possession before again shooting narrowly over. As Doncaster looked to keep hat they had Toms won the ball in the area and went down with the home fans baying for a penalty. But the visitors were not to be denied and following a couple of goalmouth scrambles the referee blew for full time to the clear delight of the Rovers players and supporters.

The visitors showed why they are promotion challengers with a defiant no non-sense display on a bitterly cold afternoon. The difference between the sides being that Doncaster took their chances and did well to restrict Barnet who will rightly deem themselves unlucky not to get a draw.

Men of the Match

John Doolan - His workrate general battling and control of the midfield in the second half gave Barnet a chance.

Steve Maule - The Barnet fan who kindly provided me with a pen after mine had run out. Cheers mate :-)

Bookings

Barnet

70 - John Doolan booked for unsporting behaviour

Doncaster Rovers

No bookings

Teams

Barnet

Naisbitt, Pluck (Toms 79), Hendon, Heald, Flynn, Gower, Doolan, Yakabu, Midgley, Agogo (Oshitola 19), Purser

Unused Subs: Millard, Soloman, Baimass

Doncaster

Warrington, Mustafa, Ryan, Albrighton, Barrick, Beech, Owen, Hudson (Ravenhill 86), Paterson (Morley 76), Barnes, Gill (Jackson 80)

Unused Subs: Nelson, Peyton

Other Reports

Official Site
BBC Report
BRIANUPSJHONSTILL (Highly recommended)
South Yorkshire BBC (Includes audio interview with Rovers' Paterson)